A boy was attacked with a belt and left covered in blood by a man on a Watford train, his family have claimed.

British Transport Police have confirmed they received a report of a child being assaulted near St Albans Abbey railway station at 4.51pm on Tuesday (March 28).

In a graphic picture, seen by the Watford Observer, a boy believed to be the victim has blood streaming down his face and into his cupped hands.

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The cut was caused by a belt buckle as the attacker took off his belt and punched the victim with it, according to the boy's family.

They claim that one of the victim’s friends had gone to use the toilet and accidentally opened the door on the man and his child, before he came down the train and attacked the boy.

He had to go to hospital for stitches, they added.

British Transport Police said they are still investigating and no arrests have been made.